Angiostrongylus vasorum in wolves in Italy: prevalence and pathological findings

摘要: Angiostrongylus vasorum is a nematode residing in the heart and pulmonary vessels of dogs wild carnivores. In Europe red fox its reservoir, while only three records from wolves have been published. has worldwide distribution, many pieces evidence demonstrate that it spreading endemic areas to new ones. Italy, A. was reported with increasing frequency foxes last decades, now considered throughout country. can be asymptomatic or cause respiratory circulatory disorders, at times causing severe disseminated infections. Between February 2012 December 2016, 25 found dead central Italy were submitted Istituto Zooprofilattico del Lazio e della Toscana for post-mortem examination. Samples lungs, heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, mediastinic lymph nodes brain collected each animal histological When adult larval nematodes microscopically seen other organs processed, five sections organ examined. To confirm parasite identification, lung samples PCR-sequencing protocol targeting ITS2 region vasorum. Seven (28.0%) harboured larvae sections. two positive wolves, visible arteries, four animals also detected organs. DNA sequencing reactions confirmed identification as all cases. As result high prevalence present study, focus circulation could hypothesised Italy. Nevertheless, similarly originating same previous papers. Histopathological highlights pathogenic potential wolf, especially juvenile animals.